We are using cookies on our site to provide you with the best user experience.Disabling cookies may prevent our website from working efficiently. Click ok to remove this message (we will remember your choice).

Our website cookie policy has been developed to help inform you what cookies are used on this site and how to manage them. For more information visit our Cookies Policy page.

A cookie is a small file of information that is sent to your computer or mobile phone from a website so that the website can recognise your device if you return. Cookies cannot be used to identify you personally.

These pieces of information are used to improve our online services for you through, for example:

enabling our site to recognise your device so you don't have to give the same information several times during one task

recognising that you may already have given a username and password so you don't need to do it for every web page

measuring how many people are using different aspects of our online service, so we can make them easier to use and there’s enough capacity to ensure they’re fast

For information how to control and delete cookies plus complete information on our cookies uses on this site, please visit our Cookies Policy page.

ASA Adjudication on CSL

CSL

CSL HouseGolborne PointAshton RoadGolborneWA3 3UL

Date:

23 March 2011

Media:

Television

Sector:

Retail

Number of complaints:

260

Complaint Ref:

A10-145628

Ad

A TV ad for sofas featured three female models sitting, lying and walking around a range of sofas, posing for photographs and dancing and singing to the Duran Duran song ‘Girls on Film’. The women were shown wearing glamorous outfits and when the final sofa was featured, they were shown posing and dancing in their lingerie.

Issue

1. 260 viewers objected that the depiction of women in their underwear was gratuitous and offensive; and

2. 118 of those viewers also objected that the ad was inappropriate for broadcast at times when children could be watching.

BCAP Code

Response

1. CSL did not respond to this point.

Clearcast said that although the women in their underwear may not have been particularly relevant to the content of the ad, they did not consider it portrayed women in a demeaning fashion and the ad was not of an overtly sexual nature.

2. CSL did not respond to this point.

Clearcast said they considered the ad may not be suitable for young children and had added a presentation code which advised broadcasters to view it before considering whether it was acceptable for transmission in programmes appealing to children under nine years old. They had not, however, given it a scheduling restriction.

Assessment

1. Not upheld

We noted the ad featured three women wearing glamorous clothing including luxurious coats, cocktail dresses and lingerie. We also noted the theme of the ad and the song "Girls on Film", was based around a fashion shoot and that the models were posing for a woman holding a camera and walking toward the screen as if on a catwalk. We also noted the ad also showed the women dancing in a group. We considered that although the concept of the fashion shoot and the women in their underwear could be seen as incongruous with the product being advertised, the images were not overtly provocative or sexualised. Although some viewers might have found the images distasteful and gratuitous, we considered that the depiction of the women was neither demeaning nor degrading. We concluded that the ad was unlikely to cause serious or widespread offence.

On this point we investigated the ad under BCAP Code rule 4.2 (Harm and offence) but did not find it in breach.

2. Not upheld

We noted Clearcast had advised broadcasters to view the ad before making the decision to broadcast it around programmes appealing to children who were under nine years of age. We also noted some complainants reported that the ad had been broadcast during a family film. However, we considered that the women were not presented in an overtly sexual way and that the overall presentation of the ad was unlikely to be seen to depict women in a demeaning light. Whilst we understood some viewers were concerned that the ad was unsuitable to be seen by young children because it showed women walking and dancing in their underwear, we considered there was nothing within the ad that would cause harm or distress to children. We concluded that the ad was not unsuitable to be seen by young children.

On this point we investigated the ad under BCAP Code rules 1.2 (Social responsibility), 4.1 (Harm and offence), 32.1 and 32.3 (Scheduling) but did not find it in breach.